Image pickup apparatus, radiation image pickup apparatus and radiation image pickup system

ABSTRACT

An image pickup apparatus is provided with plural light receiving areas arranged two-dimensionally, and a vertical scanning circuit comprising plural unit circuit stages arranged in the vertical direction and a horizontal scanning circuit comprising plural unit circuit stages arranged in the horizontal direction, for selecting and reading the plural light receiving areas in succession. The vertical and horizontal scanning circuits are arranged in spaces between the light receiving areas. A crossing area of the vertical and horizontal scanning circuits, in a space between the light receiving areas, is divided into two areas. A unit circuit of the horizontal scanning circuit is provided in one of the two areas. A unit circuit of the vertical scanning circuit is provided in the other of the two areas. In one embodiment, the unit circuits of the vertical scanning circuit and/or of the horizontal scanning circuit are arranged at a constant pitch.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/769,610,filed Apr. 28, 2010, which is a divisional of application Ser. No.11/504,701, filed Aug. 16, 2006, which has since issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,795,698 on Sep. 14, 2010 and which is a divisional of application Ser.No. 10/270,651, filed Oct. 16, 2002, which has since issued as U.S. Pat.No. 7,138,696 on Nov. 21, 2006, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, morespecifically an image pickup apparatus having a horizontal scanningcircuit and a vertical scanning circuit between image receiving areas.In particular, the present invention relates to a radiation image pickupapparatus and a radiation image pickup system, and more particularly toa large-area radiation image pickup apparatus for reading an imageutilizing a high energy radiation such as X-ray or gamma-ray.

2. Related Background Art

An image pickup apparatus can be roughly divided into a light receivingarea which detects light for example by a photodiode, and a lightnon-receiving area occupied by peripheral circuits such as scanningcircuits.

In the actual image pickup apparatus, the peripheral circuits are oftenarranged in a light non-receiving area which surrounds an effectivepixel area composed of plural light receiving areas.

However, since the peripheral circuits arranged around the effectivepixel area composed for example of a single chip gives rise to alimitation in the compactization of the image pickup apparatus, suchperipheral circuits have to be provided between the light receivingareas within the effective pixel area.

Also in case of preparing an image pickup apparatus with two or morechips, the effective pixel area has to be formed close to the boundaryof each chip in order to increase the resolution at the junctionboundary between the chips. For this reason, the light non-receivingarea no longer exists around the effective pixel area and the peripheralcircuits have to be positioned in the spaces between the light receivingareas which are closely laid down within the effective pixel areas.

In such image pickup apparatus in which the peripheral circuits arepositioned in the spaces between the light receiving areas closely laiddown within the effective pixel areas, the arrangement of a horizontalscanning circuit and a vertical scanning circuit gives rise to a portionwhere such horizontal scanning circuit and vertical scanning circuitmutually cross.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the layout of the horizontal scanningcircuit and the vertical scanning circuit in a conventional image pickupapparatus.

FIG. 15 illustrates another example of the layout of the horizontalscanning circuit and the vertical scanning circuit in a conventionalimage pickup apparatus. In FIGS. 14 and 15, equivalent components arerepresented by a same number.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, there are shown a light receiving area(photodiode) 701, a space 702 between the light receiving areas, unitcircuits 703-1 to 703-4 of a vertical scanning circuit, unit circuits704-1 to 704-4 of a horizontal scanning circuit, an area 705 whereregularity is lost, and a crossing point 707 of the vertical scanningcircuit and the horizontal scanning circuit.

In the conventional example shown in FIG. 14, the unit circuits 703-1 to703-4 of the vertical scanning circuit are positioned at a constantpitch to maintain a regularity, but, in order to maintain suchregularity of the unit circuits 703-1 to 703-4 of the vertical scanningcircuit, the unit circuits 704-1 to 704-4 of the horizontal scanningcircuit cannot be provided, at the crossing point of the scanningcircuits, in the positions where such unit circuits of the horizontalscanning circuit should be positioned in order to maintain theregularity thereof but the unit circuit 704-2 of the horizontal scanningcircuit is provided adjacent to that 704-1.

Also in the conventional example shown in FIG. 15, the unit circuits704-1 to 704-4 of the horizontal scanning circuit are positioned at aconstant pitch to maintain a regularity, but, in order to maintain suchregularity of the unit circuits 704-1 to 704-4 of the horizontalscanning circuit, the unit circuits 703-1 to 703-4 of the verticalscanning circuit cannot be provided, at the crossing point of thescanning circuits, in the positions where such unit circuits of thevertical scanning circuit should be positioned in order to maintain theregularity thereof but the unit circuit 703-3 of the vertical scanningcircuit is provided adjacent to that 703-2.

In the image pickup apparatus in which at least plural light receivingareas are closely laid down as explained in the foregoing, in case ofpositioning the peripheral circuits in the spaces between such lightreceiving areas, there inevitably results an area where the verticalscanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit mutually cross,and, in order to circumvent such crossing area, the periodicity of thepositions of the unit circuits becomes irregular in either of thehorizontal scanning circuit and the vertical scanning circuit as shownin FIGS. 14 and 15.

Consequently, a difference in the wiring length induces deterioration ofthe response characteristics, and the irregularity in the positioning ofthe unit circuits of each scanning circuit deteriorates the continuityof the pixels, thereby detrimentally affecting the image quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstancesand is to provide, in an image pickup apparatus in which a horizontalscanning circuit and a vertical scanning circuit are provided in thespaces between the light receiving areas, a configuration where theperiodicity of the horizontal scanning circuit and the vertical scanningcircuit is not disturbed.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image pickupapparatus which is provided with plural light receiving areas arrangedtwo-dimensionally, and a vertical scanning circuit composed of pluralunit circuit stages arranged in the vertical direction and a horizontalscanning circuit composed of plural unit circuit stages arranged in thehorizontal direction, for selecting and reading the aforementionedplural light receiving areas in succession and in which the verticalscanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit are arranged inspaces between the light receiving areas, wherein the crossing area ofthe vertical scanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit, in aspace between the light receiving areas, is divided into two areas andat least a unit circuit of the horizontal scanning circuit is providedin one of the aforementioned two areas while at least a unit circuit ofthe vertical scanning circuit is provided in the other of theaforementioned two areas.

According to the present invention, there is also provided another imagepickup apparatus which is provided with plural light receiving areasarranged two-dimensionally, and a vertical scanning circuit composed ofplural unit circuit stages arranged in the vertical direction and ahorizontal scanning circuit composed of plural unit circuit stagesarranged in the horizontal direction, for selecting and reading theaforementioned plural light receiving areas in succession and in whichthe vertical scanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit arearranged in spaces between the light receiving areas, the apparatuscomprising a space between the light receiving areas where two or moreunit circuit stages of either of the vertical scanning circuit and thehorizontal scanning circuit are provided and a vacant space between thelight receiving areas where no unit circuit of the vertical scanningcircuit and the horizontal scanning circuit is provided, wherein theaforementioned vacant space is provided in a space between the lightreceiving area at the crossing area of the vertical scanning circuit andthe horizontal scanning circuit.

According to the present invention, there is also provided another imagepickup apparatus which is provided with plural light receiving areasarranged two-dimensionally, and a vertical scanning circuit composed ofplural unit circuit stages arranged in the vertical direction and ahorizontal scanning circuit composed of plural unit circuit stagesarranged in the horizontal direction, for selecting and reading theaforementioned plural light receiving areas in succession and in whichthe vertical scanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit arearranged in spaces between the light receiving areas, the apparatuscomprising a space between the light receiving areas where two or moreunit circuit stages of the vertical scanning circuit are provided, aspace between the light receiving areas where two or more unit circuitstages of the horizontal scanning circuit are provided, and a vacantspace between the light receiving areas where no unit circuit of thevertical scanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit isprovided, wherein the aforementioned vacant space is provided in a spacebetween the light receiving areas at the crossing area of the verticalscanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit.

According to the present invention, there is also provided another imagepickup apparatus which is provided with plural light receiving areasarranged two-dimensionally, and a vertical scanning circuit composed ofplural unit circuit stages arranged in the vertical direction and ahorizontal scanning circuit composed of plural unit circuit stagesarranged in the horizontal direction, for selecting and reading theaforementioned plural light receiving areas in succession and in whichthe vertical scanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit arearranged in spaces between the light receiving areas, wherein the unitcircuits of the vertical scanning circuit and/or the unit circuits ofthe horizontal scanning circuit are arranged at a constant pitch.

According to the present invention, there is also provided another imagepickup apparatus which is provided with plural light receiving areasarranged two-dimensionally, and a vertical scanning circuit composed ofplural unit circuit stages arranged in the vertical direction and ahorizontal scanning circuit composed of plural unit circuit stagesarranged in the horizontal direction, for selecting and reading saidplural light receiving areas in succession and in which said verticalscanning circuit and said horizontal scanning circuit are arranged inspaces between said light receiving areas, wherein the unit circuitgroups each constituted by two unit circuits of said horizontal scanningcircuit or said vertical scanning circuit, and said unit circuit groupsare arranged at a constant pitch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing the concept of a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the layout of an image pickup apparatus of thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the layout of an image pickup apparatus of asecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the layout of an image pickup apparatus of athird embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the layout of an image pickup apparatus of afourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the layout of an image pickup apparatus of afifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a layout of the configuration necessary fordriving the image pickup apparatus of the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining a driving method for the imagepickup apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of adynamic shift register which can be employed in the vertical scanningcircuit or the horizontal scanning circuit in the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration ofa static shift register which can be employed in the vertical scanningcircuit or the horizontal scanning circuit in the present invention;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic perspective views of a radiation imagepickup apparatus employing an image pickup apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a conceptual view showing the configuration of a radiationimage pickup apparatus utilizing a radiation image pickup apparatus ofthe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of the layout of a horizontalscanning circuit and a vertical scanning circuit in a conventional imagepickup apparatus; and

FIG. 15 is a view showing another example of the layout of a horizontalscanning circuit and a vertical scanning circuit in a conventional imagepickup apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now the present invention will be clarified in detail by embodimentsthereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)

FIG. 1 is a view showing the concept of a first embodiment of the imagepickup apparatus of the present invention. Within a single solid stateimage pickup device chip constituting the image pickup apparatus, FIG. 1shows two light receiving areas 101 and a space (light non-receivingarea) 102 therebetween, wherein the space 102 sandwiched between thelight receiving areas 101 is divided into two areas, namely an area A103 and an area B 104. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that thearea A is used for positioning a vertical scanning circuit while thearea B is used for positioning a horizontal scanning circuit. Withrespect to the wirings, the vertical scanning circuit is wired by afirst metal layer and the horizontal scanning circuit is wired by asecond metal layer. The wiring for each scanning circuit may be presentin plural units, but they are preferably made with a same metal layer.

FIG. 2 illustrates the layout of the image pickup apparatus. For thepurpose of simplicity, there is illustrated an image pickup apparatushaving 4×4 light receiving areas, but the number of the light receivingareas provided in a single solid state image pickup device chip issuitably selected according to the necessity, such as 2×2, 4×8, 8×8, . .. . The present embodiment shows an image pickup apparatus constitutedby a single solid state image pickup device chip, but the image pickupapparatus may also be constituted by a plurality of solid state imagepickup device chips shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, there are shown a light receiving area 201, a space202 between the light receiving areas, unit circuits 203-1 to 203-4 of avertical scanning circuit, a wiring 204 of the vertical scanningcircuit, unit circuits 205-1 to 205-4 of a horizontal scanning circuit,a wiring 206 of the horizontal scanning circuit, and a crossing portion207 of the scanning circuits. A space between the light receiving areasin the crossing portion 207 is divided into two, and a vertical scanningcircuit 203-3 and a horizontal scanning circuit 205-2 are providedtherein in mutually adjacent manner. As a result of such arrangement ofthe light receiving areas, continuity can be maintained in both the unitcircuits of the horizontal scanning circuit and those of the verticalscanning circuit can maintain continuity, which can therefore bearranged respectively at a constant pitch and can be wired without adisorder even in the crossing portion. Consequently, the length of thewiring remains same for the respective unit circuits to avoiddeterioration of the response characteristics, and the continuitymaintained in each scanning circuit reduces the influence on the imagequality.

Also, in the present embodiment, the vertical scanning circuit and thehorizontal scanning circuit are positioned in the space between thelight receiving areas at the center of the 4×4 light receiving areas,but the location of such positioning is not limited to that in thepresent embodiment. They may be provided in any position as long as theunit circuits of the vertical scanning circuit and those of thehorizontal scanning circuit can be arranged respectively at a constantpitch. For example, the vertical scanning circuit in the presentembodiment may be displaced in the lateral direction by a column.

(Embodiment 2)

FIG. 3 illustrates the layout of an image pickup apparatus of a secondembodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a unitcircuit of the vertical scanning circuit is provided in each spacebetween the light receiving areas, while two unit circuits of thehorizontal scanning circuit are provided in a space between the lightreceiving areas, and such space is alternated with a vacant spacebetween the light receiving areas, not containing the unit circuit ofthe horizontal scanning circuit. With respect to the wiring, thevertical scanning circuit is wired by a first metal layer, while thehorizontal scanning circuit is wired by a second metal layer. The wiringof each scanning circuit may be present in plural units, but suchwirings of each scanning circuit are preferably prepared in a same metallayer.

For the purpose of simplicity, there is illustrated an image pickupapparatus having 4×4 light receiving areas, but the number of the lightreceiving areas provided in a single solid state image pickup devicechip is suitably selected according to the necessity, such as 2×2, 4×8,8×8, . . . .

Also in the following embodiments, the number of the light receivingareas is similarly determined in suitable manner.

The present embodiment shows an image pickup apparatus constituted by asingle solid state image pickup device chip, but the image pickupapparatus may also be constituted by a plurality of solid state imagepickup device chips shown in FIG. 3.

Following embodiments will also be explained by an image pickupapparatus constituted by a single solid state image pickup device chip,but the image pickup apparatus may likewise be constituted by aplurality of solid state image pickup device chips.

The present embodiment is different from that shown in FIG. 2 in thatthe horizontal scanning circuit is not provided in the crossing portionof the vertical scanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit.

Referring to FIG. 3, there are shown a light receiving area 301, a space302 between the light receiving areas, unit circuits 303-1 to 303-4 of avertical scanning circuit, a wiring 304 of the vertical scanningcircuit, unit circuits 305-1 to 305-4 of a horizontal scanning circuit,a wiring 306 of the horizontal scanning circuit, and a crossing portion307 of the scanning circuits. In a space 302 between the light receivingareas in the crossing portion 307 there is only provided a unit circuit303-3 of the vertical scanning circuit, and, in the left and rightspaces between the light receiving areas laterally across the space inthe crossing portion, there are respectively provided unit circuits305-1, 305-2 of the horizontal scanning circuit and unit circuits 305-3,305-4 of the horizontal scanning circuit.

As a result, the unit circuits of the vertical scanning circuit arearranged at a constant pitch, while, in the horizontal scanning circuit,unit circuit groups each constituted by two unit circuits of thehorizontal scanning circuit are arranged at a constant pitch, wherebythe continuity is maintained and the wiring can be formed withoutdisorder even in the crossing portion 307 of the scanning circuits.Consequently, the length of the wiring remains same for the respectiveunit circuits to avoid deterioration of the response characteristics,and the continuity maintained in each scanning circuit reduces theinfluence on the image quality.

The above-mentioned unit circuit groups means a unit circuit groupconstituted by the unit circuits 305-1 and 305-2, and a unit circuitgroup constituted by the unit circuit 305-3 and 305-4.

The length of the wiring remaining same in the present embodiment meansthe following situation. In the conventional configuration, anirregularly varying length of the wiring results in a deterioration ofthe image quality in a position corresponding to such variation of thewiring length (for example area 705 in FIG. 14), but the use of twowiring lengths only (namely length between the unit circuits 305-1 and305-2 and that between the unit circuits 305-2 and 305-3) as in thepresent invention allows to reduce the influence on the image quality,because of the absence of an unexpected difference in the length of thewiring.

Also, in the present embodiment, the vertical scanning circuit and thehorizontal scanning circuit are positioned in the space between thelight receiving areas at the center of the 4×4 light receiving areas,but the location of such positioning is not limited to that in thepresent embodiment. They may be provided in any position as long as theunit circuits of the vertical scanning circuit and those of thehorizontal scanning circuit can be arranged respectively at a constantpitch. For example, the vertical scanning circuit in the presentembodiment may be displaced in the lateral direction by a column.

Also in the following embodiments, the vertical scanning circuit and thehorizontal scanning circuit are similarly provided in the space betweenthe light receiving areas at the center of 4×4 light receiving areas,but the location of such positioning is not limited to such case.

(Embodiment 3)

FIG. 4 illustrates the layout of an image pickup apparatus of a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, two unit circuits of the vertical scanningcircuit are provided in a space between the light receiving areas, andsuch space is alternated with a vacant space between the light receivingareas, not containing the unit circuit of the vertical scanning circuit,while a unit circuit of the horizontal scanning circuit is provided ineach space between the light receiving areas. With respect to thewiring, the vertical scanning circuit is wired by a first metal layer,while the horizontal scanning circuit is wired by a second metal layer.The wiring of each scanning circuit may be present in plural units, butsuch wirings of each scanning circuit are preferably prepared in a samemetal layer.

The present embodiment is different from that shown in FIG. 2 in thatthe vertical scanning circuit is not provided in the crossing portion ofthe vertical scanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit.

Referring to FIG. 4, there are shown a light receiving area 401, a space402 between the light receiving areas, unit circuits 403-1 to 403-4 of avertical scanning circuit, a wiring 404 of the vertical scanningcircuit, unit circuits 405-1 to 405-4 of a horizontal scanning circuit,a wiring 406 of the horizontal scanning circuit, and a crossing portion407 of the scanning circuits. In a space 402 between the light receivingareas in the crossing portion 407 there is only provided a unit circuit405-2 of the horizontal scanning circuit, and, in the upper and lowerspaces between the light receiving areas vertically across the space inthe crossing portion, there are respectively provided unit circuits403-1, 403-2 of the vertical scanning circuit and unit circuits 403-3,403-4 of the vertical scanning circuit.

As a result, the unit circuits of the horizontal scanning circuit arearranged at a constant pitch, while, in the vertical scanning circuit,unit circuit groups each constituted by two unit circuits of thevertical scanning circuit are arranged at a constant pitch, whereby thecontinuity is maintained and the wiring can be formed without disordereven in the crossing portion 407 of the scanning circuits. Consequently,the length of the wiring remains same for the respective unit circuitsto avoid deterioration of the response characteristics, and thecontinuity maintained in each scanning circuit reduces the influence onthe image quality.

The above-mentioned unit circuit groups mean a unit circuit groupconstituted by the unit circuits 403-1 and 403-2, and a unit circuitgroup constituted by the unit circuit 403-3 and 403-4.

The length of the wiring remaining same in the present embodiment meansthe following situation. In the conventional configuration, anirregularly varying length of the wiring results in a deterioration ofthe image quality in a position corresponding to such variation of thewiring length (for example area 705 in FIG. 10), but the use of twowiring lengths only (namely length between the unit circuits 403-1 and403-2 and that between the unit circuits 403-2 and 403-3) as in thepresent invention allows to reduce the influence on the image quality,because of the absence of an unexpected difference in the length of thewiring.

(Embodiment 4)

FIG. 5 illustrates the layout of an image pickup apparatus of a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, two unit circuits of the vertical scanningcircuit are provided in a space between the light receiving areas, andsuch space is alternated with a vacant space between the light receivingareas, not containing the unit circuit of the vertical scanning circuit,while two unit circuits of the horizontal scanning circuit are providedin a space between the light receiving areas, and such space isalternated with a vacant space between the light receiving areas, notcontaining the unit circuit of the horizontal scanning circuit. Withrespect to the wiring, the vertical scanning circuit is wired by a firstmetal layer, while the horizontal scanning circuit is wired by a secondmetal layer. The wiring of each scanning circuit may be present inplural units, but such wirings of each scanning circuit are preferablyprepared in a same metal layer.

The present embodiment is different from that shown in FIG. 2 in that avacant space not containing the horizontal scanning circuit nor thevertical scanning circuit is provided in the crossing portion of thevertical scanning circuit and the horizontal scanning circuit.

Referring to FIG. 5, there are shown a light receiving area 501, a space502 between the light receiving areas, unit circuits 503-1 to 503-4 of avertical scanning circuit, a wiring 504 of the vertical scanningcircuit, unit circuits 505-1 to 505-4 of a horizontal scanning circuit,a wiring 506 of the horizontal scanning circuit, and a crossing portion507 of the scanning circuits. In a space 502 between the light receivingareas in the crossing portion 507 there is not provided the verticalscanning circuit nor the horizontal scanning circuit, and, across suchspace at the crossing portion, there are respectively provided at leftand right the unit circuits 505-1, 505-2 of the horizontal scanningcircuit and the unit circuits 505-3, 505-4 of the horizontal scanningcircuit, and, above and below such space there are respectively providedthe units circuits 503-1, 503-2 of the vertical scanning circuit and theunit circuits 503-3, 503-4 of the vertical scanning circuit.

As a result, the unit circuit groups of the vertical scanning circuitand the unit circuit groups of the horizontal scanning circuit arerespectively arranged at a constant pitch, whereby the continuity ismaintained and the wiring can be formed without disorder even in thecrossing portion 507 of the scanning circuits. Consequently, the lengthof the wiring remains same for the respective unit circuits to avoiddeterioration of the response characteristics, and the continuitymaintained in each scanning circuit reduces the influence on the imagequality.

The above-mentioned unit circuit groups means a unit circuit groupconstituted by the unit circuits 505-1 and 505-2 and a unit circuitgroup constituted by the unit circuit 505-3 and 505-4 of the horizontalscanning circuit, and a unit circuit group constituted by the unitcircuits 503-1 and 503-2 and a unit circuit group constituted by theunit circuit 503-3 and 503-4 of the vertical scanning circuit.

The length of the wiring remaining same in the present embodiment meansthe following situation. In the conventional configuration, anirregularly varying length of the wiring results in a deterioration ofthe image quality in a position corresponding to such variation of thewiring length (for example area 705 in FIG. 10), but the use of twowiring lengths only in each scanning circuit as in the present inventionallows to reduce the influence on the image quality, because of theabsence of an unexpected difference in the length of the wiring.

(Embodiment 5)

FIG. 6 illustrates the layout of an image pickup apparatus of a fifthembodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, two unit circuits of the horizontal scanningcircuit are provided in a space between the light receiving areas, andsuch space is alternated with a vacant space between the light receivingareas, not containing the unit circuit of the horizontal scanningcircuit, while a unit circuit of the vertical scanning circuit isprovided in each space between the light receiving areas. With respectto the wiring, the vertical scanning circuit is wired by a first metallayer, while the horizontal scanning circuit is wired by a second metallayer. The wiring of each scanning circuit may be present in pluralunits, but such wirings of each scanning circuit are preferably preparedin a same metal layer.

In the present embodiment, in order to position the horizontal andvertical scanning circuits avoiding a peripheral circuit for driving theoptical signal from the light receiving areas, a space between the lightreceiving areas including a unit circuit of the vertical scanningcircuit is provided in the crossing portion of the vertical scanningcircuit and the horizontal scanning circuit. Therefore, the crossingportion is occupied by two unit circuits of the horizontal scanningcircuit and a unit circuit of the vertical scanning circuit. The spacebetween the light receiving areas is divided into two areas of which oneis used for providing the two unit circuits of the horizontal scanningcircuit while the other is used for providing the unit circuit of thevertical scanning circuit.

Referring to FIG. 6, there are shown a light receiving area 601, a space602 between the light receiving areas, unit circuits 603-1 to 603-4 of avertical scanning circuit, a wiring 604 of the vertical scanningcircuit, unit circuits 605-1 to 605-6 of a horizontal scanning circuit,a wiring 606 of the horizontal scanning circuit, a crossing portion 607of the scanning circuits, and a pixel peripheral circuit 608 for drivingthe pixels. The output of the vertical scanning circuit 603 is used foroperating a switch of the peripheral circuit.

As a result, the unit circuits of the vertical scanning circuit arearranged at a constant pitch, while, in the horizontal scanning circuit,unit circuit groups each constituted by two unit circuits of thehorizontal scanning circuit are arranged at a constant pitch, wherebythe continuity is maintained and the wiring can be formed withoutdisorder even in the crossing portion 607 of the scanning circuits.Consequently, the length of the wiring remains same for the respectiveunit circuits to avoid deterioration of the response characteristics,and the continuity maintained in each scanning circuit reduces theinfluence on the image quality.

The length of the wiring remaining same in the present embodiment meansthe following situation. In the conventional configuration, anirregularly varying length of the wiring results in a deterioration ofthe image quality in a position corresponding to such variation of thewiring length (for example area 705 in FIG. 10), but the use of twowiring lengths only as in the present invention allows to reduce theinfluence on the image quality, because of the absence of an unexpecteddifference in the length of the wiring.

The embodiments explained in the foregoing have shown, as an example ofthe image pickup apparatus, the layouts of the light receiving areas ina single solid-state image pickup device chip, and of the horizontalscanning circuit and the vertical scanning circuit to be arrangedbetween the light receiving areas. In such image pickup apparatus, theeffective pixel area constituted by plural light receiving areas can beextended to the edge of the chip, and the number of pixels can beincreased for a given chip size.

Also in the present invention, an image pickup apparatus can also beconstituted by adjoining the above-mentioned solid-state image pickupdevice chips in one direction or two-dimensionally, and the effectsexplained in the foregoing embodiments and the effects explained abovecan be obtained also in such case.

Now there will be given a detailed explanation on the drive method forthe image pickup apparatus of the foregoing embodiment, with referenceto FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 is a layout chart showing an example of the configurationnecessary for driving the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 6, andFIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the drive method for the imagepickup apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, VSR1 to VSR3 denote respectively output lines ofunit circuits 603-1 to 603-3 of vertical scanning circuit. An amplifiercircuit 609 for amplifying the output from pixels, and a terminal 100for outputting a sensor output after amplification by the amplifiercircuit 609. In FIG. 8, there are shown a capacitor 650 for accumulatingthe output from the pixels, 660 denote MOS transistors for switch, whichoperate responsive to output signals from output lines VSR1 to VSR3.While, 670 denote MOS transistors for switch, which operate responsiveto signals from wirings 606 of the horizontal scanning circuit.

In the function of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention,at an optical signal is converted by a photodiode into a charge. Theconverted charge is amplified in an amplifying unit provided in eachpixel, and is accumulated in a capacitor a. Then, in response to a VSRoutput 1, a switch b of the first row is turned on to select the firstrow. Then in response to the output signals from the terminal HSR,switches c are turned on in succession toward right whereby the signalsof a row are supplied to the amplifier 609. Subsequently in response toa VSR output 2, the second row is selected in a similar manner and therow signals are supplied to the amplifier. Operations are thereafterconducted similarly for the third and subsequent rows.

In the present embodiment, the vertical shift register is activated insuccession from 603-1 to 603-4, but the order of activation can besuitably determined and is not limited to the present embodiment. Alsothe horizontal shift register in the present embodiment is activated insuccession from 605-1 to 605-6, but the order of activation can besuitably determined and is not limited to the present embodiment. FIG. 9is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a vertical scanningcircuit of the present invention and a dynamic shift register employablein the vertical scanning circuit, and FIG. 10 is a circuit diagramshowing the configuration of a vertical scanning circuit of the presentinvention and a static shift register employable in the verticalscanning circuit.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of aradiation image pickup apparatus which is constituted by laminating animage pickup apparatus of the invention, a scintillator plate forconverting a radiation into a visible light, a translucent substrate andan erect-imaging lens array of equal magnification.

The radiation image pickup apparatus, incorporating the image pickupapparatus of the present invention, is provided on a supportingsubstrate 900, in the order from the entering side of X-ray, with alight reflecting film 901, a fluorescent member (scintillator) 902constituting a wavelength converting member, a translucent member 903,an erect-imaging lens array 904 of equal magnification which is formedby integrating a light conductive member of distributed refractive indextype and is capable of forming an erect image at a short focal distance,a translucent substrate 905 and a photosensor chip 906 constituted bythe image pickup apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of aradiation image pickup apparatus which is constituted by laminating animage pickup apparatus of the invention, a scintillator plate forconverting a radiation into a visible light, and a fiber optics platethereby improving the image quality.

In the radiation image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 12, theerect-imaging lens array 904 of equal magnification is dispensed withand the scintillator 902 and the photosensor chip 906 are connected bythe fiber optics plate (FOP) 910. An adhesive material 911 is providedif necessary in adhering the FOP 910 and the photosensor chip 906.

FIG. 13 shows an example of application of the radiation image pickupapparatus of the present invention to an X-ray diagnosis system.

An X-ray 6060 generated by an X-ray tube 6050 is transmitted by thechest portion 6062 of a patient or an inspected person 6061 and enters aradiation image pickup apparatus 6040 provided with a scintillator forconverting the radiation into light, an FOP (fiber optics plate) forguiding the light to an image pickup apparatus, an image pickupapparatus and an external process substrate. The entering X-ray containsinformation of the interior of the body of the patient 6061. In responseto the entering X-ray, the scintillator emits light, which is subjectedto photoelectric conversion by the image pickup device to obtainelectrical information. Such information is converted into a digitalsignal, which is subjected to image processing by an image processor6070 and is observed by a display 6080 in a control room.

Such information can also be transferred to a remote location bytransmission means such as a telephone line 6090, and displayed on adisplay 6081 for example in a doctor room in another location or storedin storage means such as an optical disk, for diagnosis by a doctor inthe remote location. It can also be recorded by a film processor 6100 ona film 6110.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a pluralityof light receiving regions arranged two-dimensionally; a verticalscanning circuit comprising a plurality of unit circuits; a horizontalscanning circuit comprising a plurality of unit circuits, a plurality offirst regions; and a plurality of second regions, wherein each of theplurality of first regions, in each of which each of unit circuits ofthe vertical scanning circuit is arranged, is arranged between two ofthe light receiving regions so that the plurality of first regions arespaced by an equal pitch, wherein each of the plurality of secondregions, in each of which each of unit circuits of the horizontalscanning circuit is arranged, is arranged between two of the lightreceiving regions so that the plurality of second regions are spaced byan equal pitch; and wherein each of the plurality of first regions isarranged along a first direction and each of the plurality of secondregions is arranged along a second direction different from the firstdirection.
 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe plurality of light receiving regions comprises a first pixel columnincluding the light receiving regions adjoining in a third direction,and a second pixel column including the light receiving regionsadjoining in the third direction, adjacent to the first pixel column,and wherein the plurality of first regions are arranged along the thirddirection in a third region between the first and second pixel columns.3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of light receiving regions comprises a first pixel rowincluding the light receiving regions adjoining in a fourth direction,and wherein the plurality of second regions are arranged between theplurality of light receiving regions included in the first pixel row. 4.The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pluralityof light receiving regions comprise: a first pixel column including thelight receiving regions adjoining in a third direction, a second pixelcolumn including the light receiving regions adjoining in the thirddirection, adjacent to the first pixel column, and a first pixel rowincluding the light receiving regions adjoining in a fourth direction,wherein the plurality of first regions are arranged in a third regionbetween the first and second pixel columns along the third direction,and wherein each of the second regions is arranged between the pluralityof light receiving regions included in the first pixel row, sandwichingthe light receiving region in the first pixel row, along the fourthdirection.
 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein,in a fourth region in which the first pixel row crosses the thirdregion, a unit circuit of the vertical scanning circuit and a unitcircuit of the horizontal scanning circuit are arranged.
 6. The imagepickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, in a fourth region inwhich the first pixel row crosses the third region, a unit circuit ofthe vertical scanning circuit is arranged, and a unit circuit of thehorizontal scanning circuit is not arranged.
 7. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 4, wherein, in a fourth region in which thefirst pixel row crosses the third region, a unit circuit of thehorizontal scanning circuit is arranged, and a unit circuit of thevertical scanning circuit is not arranged.
 8. The image pickup apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein, in a fifth region in which the thirdregion crosses the fourth region, the unit circuit of the verticalscanning circuit and the unit circuit of the horizontal scanning circuitare arranged.
 9. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of light receiving regions comprises a first pixelcolumn including the light receiving regions adjoining in a thirddirection, a second pixel column including the light receiving regionsadjoining in the third direction, adjacent to the first pixel column,and a third pixel column including the light receiving regions adjoiningin the third direction, adjacent to the second pixel column at a side ofthe second pixel column opposite to the first pixel column, theplurality of first regions are arranged along the third direction in athird pixel region between the first and second pixel columns, and apixel amplifying portion is arranged in a region between the secondpixel column and the third pixel column, correspondingly to theplurality of light receiving regions included in the second pixelcolumn.
 10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, inthe region between the second pixel column and the third pixel column, aplurality of pixel amplifying portions are arranged correspondingly tothe plurality of light receiving regions included in the third pixelcolumn.
 11. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, whereinthe plurality of light receiving regions comprises a first pixel rowincluding the light receiving regions adjoining in a fourth direction,and the plurality of second regions are arranged in a region between theplurality of light receiving regions included in the first pixel row,sandwiching the light receiving region included in the first pixel row,along the fourth direction.
 12. The image pickup apparatus according toclaim 11, further comprising a plurality of pixel amplifying portionseach arranged corresponding to each of the light receiving regionsincluded in the first pixel row, and, in a region between the pluralityof light receiving regions included in the first pixel row, theplurality of second regions and the regions, in each of which each ofthe plurality of pixel amplifying portions is arranged, are arrangedalternately.
 13. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of the pixel has each of the lightreceiving regions, a pixel amplifying portion is arrangedcorrespondingly to each of the pixels, in response to a signal from thevertical scanning circuit, a signal amplified by the pixel amplifyingportion is outputted to a first common signal line.
 14. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a switch receiving asignal from the horizontal scanning circuit, the switch outputs, inresponse to the signal from the horizontal scanning circuit, the signalfrom the first common signal line to an output amplifying unit.